HUNTSVILLE — UTSA used a balanced offensive attack and stingy defense to sweep Sam Houston State (25-17, 25-13, 25-16) on Saturday afternoon.
The Roadrunners (9-9, 3-1 SLC) never trailed in the match and picked up their first win in Huntsville since in nearly six years (Oct. 15, 2004).
Seniors Kendra Rowland and Briana Mason each recorded eight winners to lead UTSA's offensive attack. Mason also tied for the team lead with seven of the Birds' 13 total blocks, including five assists. Redshirt sophomore Kelsey Schwirtlich assisted on 27 of the Birds' 35 kills, while junior Kelsey Jewasko collected a team-high 19 digs and anchored a defense that held the Bearkats to a .026 hitting percentage.
Sam Houston State (7-12, 1-3 SLC) received a match-high 21 digs from Kaylee Hawkins.
Tied at two in the opening set, the Birds received a winner from sophomore Whitney Walls and never looked back. UTSA increased its lead to as much as nine (24-15) after Rowland slammed home a winner. A service error by Sam Houston State finished off the set in favor of of the Roadrunners.
UTSA cruised through the second frame. Holding a 14-11 lead, the Birds went on an 11-2 run to close out the set.
The Roadrunners carried their momentum into the final stanza, opening up a 7-3 lead. Back-to-back service aces from sophomore Andee Josserand increased the UTSA lead to a half dozen (10-4). Walls and Josserand later recorded back-to-back winners to give UTSA an 18-11 advantage and the Birds closed out the sweep when Walls registered a putdown to end the match.
UTSA will complete its three-match road swing and look to move over .500 for the first time this season in a Southland matchup at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (7-10, 1-3 SLC) on Wednesday, Oct. 6. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
